Did You Know Zach Williams' "The Struggle" Was the First Song He Wrote After Becoming a Christian?

By Timothy Yap May 16, 2021 08:17 AM EDT

Zach Williams has recently scored his 4th #1 song as "Less Like Me" hits the pole position on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart. Hot on the heels of his #1 record, Williams has released his new single "The Struggle," which be available on the deluxe editiom of his album Rescue Story, which releases on July 9th.

"The Struggle" is Williams' most personal song to date. The song which deals with Williams' own personal struggle with sin is also the first song he wrote after he became a Christian. Though Williams has grown up in a Christian home, he was living a life far from God. He was a rock singer and he was living a lifestyle of one as well. Until, that is, a song on the radio began his journey of redemption."God showed me a glimpse of what my life could be like, if I would follow him."

On the brink of a failed marriage, Zach was in a tour bus somewhere between gigs in 2012, when he heard "Redeemed" by Big Daddy Weave on the radio. In that moment, he felt the presence of God and his life radically altered. Zach cancelled the next show, in fact cancelled the whole tour, quit the band and headed back home to be with his family. "God showed me a glimpse of what my life could be like, if I would turn from my sin and follow him," Williams confessed.

"Even if you haven't struggled with addiction, you probably know someone who has," he continues. "So many of us have moments where we feel worn down and don't know where to turn. I pray 'The Struggle' can help you feel the hope of Jesus at the end of the tunnel. If you find yourself wondering, 'Father, can You take away these tears,' 'The Struggle' is my testimony that He can-and has-for me... and can for you too."

Here are the lyrics:

[Verse 1]
Well he woke up this morning to an angel in his bed
There was a devil in the bottle that he was holding in his hand
With his head still full of whiskey and his eyes now full of tears
He dusted off a Bible that he hadn't read in years

[Chorus]
And he said, "I am tired, I am torn
And I can't take it any more
You see this bottle has been my only friend
But here I am, my heart to You I give
Oh Father, can You take away these tears?"

[Verse 2]
She struggles with addiction, she struggles to fit in
She takеs too much medication to cover up her tеars
One pill to make her happy, too many make her sad
And then she notices the Bible in the hotel by her bed

[Chorus]
She says, "I am weary, I am worn
And I can't take it any more
You see this bottle has been my only friend
But here I am, my heart to You I give
Oh Father, can You wash away these sins?"

[Outro]
But then the sun came out and the skies turned blue
And the pain they knew was gone
And as the old life died, a new life it was born
Oh, was a life they never knew
Until they followed You